RIDERS' DISMAY AS CROSSING IS SCUPPERED

HORSERIDERS in Sindlesham say they are dismayed that the council will not put in an equestrian crossing along the busy Mole Road.

Twenty-five riders turned up at last week’s meeting of the highways board to find out that no action will be taken.

But they say they are baffled over the decision, because the council sanctioned an equestrian crossing along the A327 Reading Road in Arborfield, which is less busy, according to campaigners.

The riders want a traffic light-controlled crossing on the stretch of Mole Road between Bearwood Golf Club clubhouse and Mole Lodge, as well as signs on the approach warning of horses.

According to guidelines set out by the Department of Transport, an equestrian crossing can only be built in areas where the speed limit is no more than 40 mph and where there is street lighting.

Mole Road currently has varying limits of both 40 and 50mph.

Following a study of the area by council officers, they recommended to councillors that no action should be taken because the speed limits are in line with council policy, and the cost of the crossing would be £100,000 — more than is available in the budget.

However, highways chairman Cllr David Chopping pledged to speak to Bearwood College to discuss cutting down visually obstructive hedges, which would help driver visibility along the road.

He also said the board would look at the possibility of installing Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) — another request by riders — but the board would not go against officer recommendations without a site visit.

Angry riders and residents claimed the demand for the crossing is high, and that motorists who “race” along the country road would only be slowed down if red lights were installed.

Liz Connolly, who owns Carters Hill Stables and needs to cross Mole Road to get to the Coombes — an area of countryside south of Bearwood Lakes — said: “I personally have crossed this road for over 30 years and it has become unacceptably dangerous.

“This is an important crossing point as it joins the off-road riding at Carters Hill and the Coombes.

“It is used extensively by Bearwood Riding Centre, Cloud Stables, Carters Hill Stables, Hatch Farm Stables and the children from Wokingham Pony Club, who use a field in the Coombes for rallies.

“Vehicles approach the crossing over the brow of a hill one way and a sharp bend the other.

“If the road is clear when you start to cross invariably a car will come at speed when you are halfway over.”

Jan Heard, who lives in Carters Hill, said the speed limit in Mole Road should be changed as conflicting signs confused motorists.

She said: “Since December last year I have been dismayed by the series of conflicting warning and speed limit signs, which seem to produce confusion, unnecessary signage pollution and encourage aggressive driving.

“If 30 or 40mph is advised, why imply that 50mph is safe with a sign? I was advised that locals had been consulted regarding the plan, though I’ve yet to find any who was consulted.

“As for demand, it’s a chicken and egg situation — the road is too dangerous so few dare to cross, and therefore demand is low.

“But with a lower speed limit and a crossing maybe others here will support me in saying it would be a different matter.”

The riders added the demand is “100 times more” than in Arborfield, where there is an equestrian crossing on the A327 Reading Road.

Karen Davis, who keeps horses at Carters Hill, said the unpredictability of horses means the only safe way to cross is at a designated horse crossing.

She said: “You cannot tell a horse about the dangers of the road. There is an accident waiting to happen here.”